From fake names to mooning, a prank war has been declared on GB News

It was never going to be easy. Setting up an insurgent news channel dedicated to listening to, and reflecting, “ordinary people’s voices” is a big enough ask. But when those “ordinary people” are called “Mike Oxlong” and “Mike Hunt”, then you’re really swimming against the current. 

Yes, GB News has fallen victim to some of the oldest schoolboy pranks in the book. In fact, the last time such high spirits were seen on national TV was when Bart “Seymour Butz” Simpson placed a call to Moe’s Diner in season two of The Simpsons. On June 16, the channel’s presenter Simon McCoy delivered an on-air ticking-off to those phoning in with silly names.

“Some people think it’s really funny to send in fake text messages,” he sternly admonished over giggling at the back of the classroom. “And I’m watching them, you’re still doing it, and to the person who has just messaged: ‘Grow up’.” 

He then delivered a spirited defence of the channel and its mission. “We’re a new company, we’re a new broadcaster, and there are systems we’re putting in place to stop idiots like you getting through,” he said. “[But] all of you with serious news, we still want them.” 

Despite only being on air for less than a week, it’s not the first time the channel has run aground on the shoals of internet impishness. 

On Dan Wootton’s evening show, an interview with actor and one-time London Mayoral candidate Laurence Fox was derailed by comedian Adam Pacitti, who managed to moon Fox on air. 

Pacitti claimed to be a supporter of Fox’s views on free speech and comedy. “Hello, I am a great fan of your work and also a great fan of comedy. I am a man that loves to laugh,” he said. “I am of the belief that either one can joke about everything or nothing at all because somebody will always be offended by a joke. What are your thoughts on that?”

But viewers then spotted that Pacitti had placed a mirror behind him — and that he was naked from the waist down. 

Not that anyone in the studio appeared to notice. 

“Wondered why he was moving about. Cracks showing already at #gbeebies,” one viewer tweeted. 

There’s a long history of TV tomfoolery. From presenters toppling into rivers to – Ron Burgundy-style – slavishly following a malfunctioning autocue, the potential for mishaps being eternally on record means that live broadcast is a high-stakes game. “Sophisto-pop” band Matt Bianco’s appearance on children’s TV show Saturday Superstore was derailed by the appearance of a mystery phone-in guest, Simon Roberts. “Hello,” he said to the band. “Hello,” the band cheerily replied. “You’re a bunch of w-nkers,” he calmly informed them before the producers could cut away. 

Now, though, this encounter feels like a product of a bygone age. GB News travails, in contrast, are representative of launching a news channel in the Twitter age. The gleeful tallying of its many technical hitches and stylistic stumbles, and the relentless baiting of its presenters on social media, suggest that many dislike its robustly right-wing politics.  

But away from the Twitterati echo chamber, the channel seems to be finding its audience. Its launch night on June 13 attracted more viewers than either BBC News or Sky. Some, no doubt, came for the novelty. But others would have heard voices they agreed with. This indicates that, rocky first week aside, the channel could have legs. 

On the basis of the last couple of days, though, coughing up for a researcher to vet potential interviewees would be a savvy use of money for Andrew Neil and co.